Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-11-10
A Terrible Mistake.

neg made grave in the cemetery at
M'Ildeie, KY, a Gay or TWO ago received all
Ihnt was mortal of Claudas r Golden g
nan whose life was made wreck through
It fatal mistake which preyed on bis memo
ory for more than decade, drove him to
drink. aud finally TO almost paupers grave.
Fifteen years ago Claudas Colder, young
nlan whose prospects were the brightest, re-
turned 10 his home there from Norfolk, Va,
where he had graduated in the law depart
ment of the university with the highest hon
oTs. He was wealthy and surrounded with
all the comforts Of life and around him
gathered the friends of his early boyhood.
SIX months after his return from college he
was welded to Miss Cyrills T. Henderson, a
highly accomplished young lady of Mill
date.
She was just 10 years of age, of fair com.
plexion and light hair, the lovely daughter
OF Z \. Henderson, wealthy aud aristo-
cratic gentleman who loved his daughter
better than life. Golden and his beautiful
aride settled down to pass their honeymoon
Nature smiled or them. The young hua
band rapidly built up law practice and
promised to shine at the bar of the State.
One morning, just before leaving town for
two or three days, while passing through
bis wife's apartments, he picked up piece
Of paper from the floor. He cayelessly
glanced at it and ieil bacl; horror stricken.
II vas 3 note couched IN. loving words be-
aiming, Dear c." and ending, Lovingly,
Feixn What did it mean? Could his
Gear wife be false? His manhood rebelled
81 such thought, but thsre was the note
found in the wife's bedroom. His jealousy
was aroused.
He put the note q his pocket and kept
the secret. He ian over list of his friends
in his mirG and tried TO think of Felix"
At last it flashed on him. Felix Brain, q
former sweetheart of Cyrilla's, now dare
devil" young man who cared for nothing
who else could it be? Tho note made ar
appointment for that night, and asked that
the way Of egress be left omen. Claudas re.
solved to see for himself, and if his suspi
cions were correct he would wreGk terrible
revenge Bidding his wife good5y, he
started on his supposed tyip. Instead Of
leaving, however, he loittred about town and
after dark stole quietly 70 his home. He
watched the house, and WAS finally reward
Ell. He sew Felix Brain enter his yard
steal quietly to the back OF his house and
|
and report. Felix Brain was dead man,
aud Clsudas Golden murderer Golden
gave himselfup.
When the trjGI csmo he made NO defense,
aud said ne waited TO die. The prosecution
stated its case, and sertoace was about TO be
| passed. Then there was O commotion. Cas-.
sic Clarendon, e young Irish girl, domestic
in the Golden household, forced herself
through the crowd in the court room and
told her story. Faiix Brain was her lover,
and it was to her the note beginning Dear
c." had been addressed Cyrilla Golden
had been true wife to her husband.
Claudas was cleared but his life was wrecked.
He left the town Of his birth, declaring he
would never return. He became wander
er over the earth, an outcast and drunk
ard Finally, after fifteen years, he stag
gered into Mlldale. man broken in health
and spirit, q total wreck. Death az last
came to his relief, and he was buried by the
town.